Abundant Life Church Podcast

Peter reminds believers that salvation is an event accomplished entirely by God's grace through faith, resulting in a genuine new birth into the family of God. In this message, Pastor John Carter reminds us that being born again is only the beginning of our salvation; spiritual maturity requires continually feeding on the living and powerful Word of God. As believers lay aside sinful attitudes and habits, they are called to crave the pure milk of Scripture so that they may grow into the fullness of who God has already declared them to be.

In this message, Pastor John Carter examines biblical servanthood through multiple perspectives, contrasting ancient forms of slavery with America's chattel slavery system, and explaining why biblical slavery looked different from racialized slavery.

Based on 1 Peter 2:13-17, this sermon teaches how Christians should submit to government and earthly authorities as established by God while navigating the tension between obedience to governing powers and loyalty to Christ. The message emphasizes that believers are called to be a "faithful presence" in culture—engaging honorably through voting, petitioning, and excellent living rather than retreating from society, seizing power through domination, or rebelling against authority. Using Jesus Christ and early church history as examples, Pastor John Carter shows how Christians can stand for their convictions, exercise civic voice, and impact culture through righteousness, character, and love.

In this message, Pastor John Carter explores 1 Peter 2:13-17 and instructs believers on submitting to and honoring governmental authority—even unjust or pagan rulers—not through blind obedience but as a willful choice rooted in character and reverence for God. Peter teaches that submission is an internal posture of the heart that arranges oneself properly under authority rather than a weakness or doormat mentality. As Christian exiles with citizenship in heaven, believers are called not to dominate or rebel against government but to live honorably and influence the world through their example, demonstrating Christ's kingdom values.

After establishing the believer's identity in Christ throughout the first half of 1 Peter, Peter now shifts to the believer's responsibility. In this message, Pastor John Carter teaches that Christians are citizens of heaven living as temporary residents on earth, called to resist the desires of the flesh, cultivate spiritual maturity, and live honorably before an unbelieving world so that others may be drawn to glorify God.